The Abilene reflector. [volume] (Abilene, Kan.) 1883-1888, 1887-08-18
ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS
The Life-Preserving Influence sfwise Regf-
men and Abstemtous Habits.

The Life-Preserving Influence 81 Wise Regf-
men and Abstemious Habits.
The common idea is, that longevity
depends entirely on inherited constitu-
ton. The man whose father and
mother, grandparents and great grand
parents attained high average age is
supposed to have a much better chance
of long life than one whose forefathers
have been short-lived. Probably there
is much truth in this idea; but it is not
improbable, and the point seems worth
careful study, that longevity is affected
indirectly rather than directly by in
heritance. 1t may well be that the
descendant of long-lived folk is apt 10 be
! long-lived, not solely or chiefly because
he inherits constitutional peculiaritics
tending 20 length of life, but because
he iDherits qualities leading to temper
ance and abstinence by which life is
prolonged, or even simply because
temperance and abstinence have been
encouraged during his youth by ex-
ample and by precept.
Considering the question of longevity
from this point of view, the case of
Louis Cornaro, which has always been
thought most instructive, becomes full
also of encouragement.
In the first place, it must be remem-
bered that Cornaro (who was born at
Venice about the year 1467) was man
of weak constitution. Moreover, from
the age of eighteen to that of thirty-five
he pursued courses that would have
seriously taxed the strongest constitu-
ton. Life at thirty-five was burden
to him because of the disorders brought
on by riotous living and indulgence III
every kind of excess. The next five
years were passed in almost unremitted
suffering. He was told by his ply
sicians. when forty years old, that moth
ing could prolong his life for more than
two or three years, but such life as re-
manned to him might be less painful
than the years he had recently lived if
he would adopt more temperate habits.
If ever there was a case where inherited
constitution and an Incorporate life
threatened an early death, this was
one. But, as events befell, it turned
out that, if ever there was a case where
life-preserving influence of wise regi-
men and abstemious habits was demon
strated, Cornaro's mnst be cited as es-
pecially significant.
At the age of forty Cornaro began
gradually to reduce the quantity of
food, both liquid and solid. which he
took each day, till at length he only
took what nature absolutely required.
He tells us that at first he found this
severe regimen very disagreeble, and
confesses that "he relapsed from time
to time to the tiesh-pots of Egypt"
But by reSuming his efforts after each
failure he succeeded, in less than a
year, in adopting permanently a spare
and moderate system. BY this time he
was alread Y restored to perfect health
But thus far he had only followed tho
cOunsels of the physicians somewhat
more steadily than they expected, or
than is uSual in such cases, and there
fore with unexpected good results. 1t
was after he had recovered his health
that he went on to those experiments
by which he seemed to show how life
may be extended far beyond the Psal-
mist's allowance.
From temperance he proceeded to
abstemiousness. Undeterred by the
doubts of his physicians as to the wis
dom of such course, he diminished
his daily allowance of food. until at last
the yelk of an egg suficed him for a
NEAL Throughout the time when he
was thus reducing his allowance of food
his health and spirits kept improving.
Nay, he tells us that even his enjoy
ment in eating had increased, for he
says he could now get more pleasure
from a small meal of dry bread than he
had ever obtained in the days of his eX-
cesseS from the most exquisite dainties
of the table. As regards regimen.
Cornaro simply 'avoided extremes of
heat and cold, over-fatigue, late hours,
excuses, and all violent passions of the
mind;" he took moderate exercise in
the open air; and his chief pleasures
were those obtained from literary and
artistic study. from the contemplation
of one scenery, noble building, beauti-
full combinations of color and sweet
music.
When COrnaro was within two years
of four score his diet was regulated in
quality and quantity, as follows: In
four meals he took each day twelve
ounces in all of solid food, consisting
of bread stale, of course, for he was
MOI weak-minded. light meat, yelk of
egg, and soup.--Richard 4. Proctor, IN
Cosmopolitan.